Anna’s POV
William’s voice was the first to cut through. Gruff, unimpressed. "Marcus makes his own decisions. That property belonged to him, not Simpson Group."
"But the timing!" Mary snapped, indignation lacing every word. "Just as we’re about to announce the Skylake developnt? Don’t tell that’s coincidence!"
"With , nothing is coincidence," ca Marcus’s voice cool, unbothered.
I bit my lip to suppress a smile. This man is sothing else.
Voices erupted in protest. Then Phillip Murphy Marcus’s older brother and Catherine’s father tried to bring calm.
"Marcus just returned to Arica. How could he possibly know Simpson Group’s internal plans?"
Mary’s voice returned, practically vibrating with outrage. "He doesn’t care about his own sister’s family business, but he knows all about Shaw affairs. Let make this clear: he can like whoever he wants, but Anna Shaw is off-limits. You might not care about appearances, but the Simpson family still has a reputation to maintain."
The words stung, despite how many tis I’d heard variations of them over the years. Sa old Mary. Always judging, never knowing.
"You uncle and nephew," she continued, growing more shrill, "falling over yourselves to impress her at that party it was pathetic! Are there really no other won in the world?"
I froze, nearly dropping my phone.
Wait. Jack too? No way.
mories surfaced Jack’s unexpected glances, the lingering tension between us, the oil painting I’d thought was a manipulation tactic. I’d returned it without blinking. Was that actually sincere? Divorce does wonders for one’s appeal, apparently. A dry smile tugged at my lips.
"You can’t dictate my choices," Marcus replied, voice like ice. "And the Simpson family’s reputation is none of my concern."
I had to respect his honesty. If he weren’t Jack’s uncle if things were different I might’ve genuinely considered him. Our temperants were uncannily aligned.
"Marcus Murphy!" Mary practically screeched, forcing to pull the phone away. "Are you truly willing to throw away blood ties for a divorced woman?"
Before Marcus could speak, Jack’s voice ca in low, sharp. "Uncle Marcus, Anna is my woman."
I choked on the water I was sipping.
Excuse ? What kind of possessive nonsense was that? This wasn’t a romance novel. He lost the right to claim when he chose Lucy over everything else.
Mary erupted. "What do you an your woman? Jack Simpson, let tell you sothing: you need to forget her entirely! That... that loose woman will never cross the Simpson threshold again, not while I’m alive!"
Despite myself, bitterness surged. So that’s how she’ll always see . A ’loose woman.’ No matter what I did, how I lived, her judgnt clung like smoke.
"Mind your words in front of the children," William cut in with disapproval. "Not appreciating Anna is Simpson Group’s loss, not hers. Don’t flatter yourself."
I heard Catherine stifling laughter through the line, and my lips curled in a real smile. Thank you, William. You say what I can’t.
Then George Simpson added his voice. "Anna was once our daughter-in-law. Now that she’s divorced, rumors involving her and Marcus would damage both families’ nas. Marcus, I urge you to think this through."
Silence. I leaned closer to the phone, heartbeat ticking.
"You’re welco to disown ," Marcus said, steady as stone.
My eyes widened. He actually said it. No hesitation, no second thoughts. The man was relentless.
I didn’t know whether to be flattered or concerned. Apparently I’m worth family war now. But any swelling ego faded quickly. I didn’t want this kind of attention not from Jack, not from Marcus. Entanglents with either would only bring chaos. Being single, sipping wine, calling the shots... that sounded much more appealing. Freedom. No emotional landmines.
Catherine’s ssages buzzed through seconds later:
[NOW I get it. Uncle Marcus bans from clubs and won’t let take you out? Hidden agenda all along.]
[Trying to seduce my best friend and cut my allowance? Unforgivable.]
I laughed, shaking my head but my mind was already drifting. Mary had ntioned the Skylake District. Marcus’s people had brought it up too. The Simpson Group had clearly gotten insider info, which explained Jack’s aggressive bidding at the auction.
But now? The property was back in Shaw hands. Skylake could be a turning point for our expansion.
n co and go. Business? That’s forever.
I stood at the head of the eting table in Shaw Tower and addressed my team. "With Simpson Group still recovering from recent internal disputes, now is the perfect ti to move. Let’s stake our claim on East Lake."
The team buzzed with energy, nodding, taking notes. My thoughts, however, weren’t far from Skylake mansion. Owning it would anchor our expansion but that ant more contact with Marcus.
A knock. I looked up.
Sean stepped in, sharp in a tailored suit light years from the desperate man I’d once t at Olympus Club.
"Ms. Shaw," he greeted, placing keys on my desk. "Rosa Villa. I wanted to return them personally."
I studied him for a mont. Capable. Ambitious. Quick to learn.
"There’s a senior strategy eting in progress," I said, standing. "You weren’t scheduled to join until next quarter, but since you’re here co. Let’s see what you can do."
Sean’s eyes widened with surprise before he nodded, composed. "Yes, Ms. Shaw."
As he followed into the boardroom, I felt it again that clarity. Let others lose themselves in drama. I had no ti for it. Not when legacy and power were mine for the claiming.
Marcus’ POV
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, I caught sight of a familiar figure slipping through the hotel’s revolving entrance.
Anna Shaw.
Our eyes t for the briefest mont then she turned away as if she hadn’t seen .
Joseph chuckled beside , rocking slightly on his heels. "Would you look at that? The fearless Anna Shaw takes one look at you and bolts. Didn’t realize you were that scary."
I kept my expression impassive, though a strange tightness gripped my chest.
"Perhaps she’s just busy," I replied flatly, watching the floor numbers ascend. Still, I couldn’t shake the bitter taste her avoidance left behind.
"Sure, sure," Joseph said with a smirk, clearly unconvinced.
I didn’t respond. He knew well enough to know I wouldn’t entertain the topic further. He pulled out his phone and began reviewing docunts while I retreated into silence.
She hadn’t even acknowledged . After what happened at her grandmother’s birthday... after everything, she couldn’t share an elevator with ?
The eting dragged on. Nearly three hours passed before I signed the final set of docunts. As I stepped out into the hallway, my phone vibrated.
The ssage made freeze.
I’ve reserved room 3303 at Sapphire Sky Hotel long term. Co tonight.
The sender: Anna.
I stared at the screen. She’d ant to send this to soone else her secret lover. But it had co to .
The irony hit like a punch. She had no idea the man she was inviting tonight was the sa one she’d just run from in the lobby.
The man she avoided in public... was the sa one she waited for in private.
A bitter smile twisted my lips.
Without hesitation, I replied:
OK.
Rachel’s POV
It was nearly eleven by the ti I stood waiting in the underground parking garage. Dinner had run long. When Ms. Shaw finally erged from the restaurant with Sean beside her, she moved with the deliberate grace of soone who had had just enough wine to feel it but not enough to lose control.
"Sean," she said, her tone blending warmth with command, "Starting next week, you’ll be joining the senior managent etings. It’s ti."
Sean kept his composure, but I could tell from the flicker in his eyes that he was surprised.
"Thank you, Ms. Shaw. I won’t let you down."
"I know you won’t," she replied calmly. "Just watch and learn."
Once Ms. Shaw settled into the backseat, she caught my eye in the rearview mirror. "Let’s go, Rachel. Sapphire Sky Hotel."
I started the engine. Just as I turned toward the garage exit, two figures suddenly stepped into our headlights. I slamd the brakes.
"Ms. Shaw," I gasped, staring wide-eyed at the windshield, "That’s Joseph Walker... and Mr. Murphy?"
Before she could respond, the rear door was yanked open. In a blur, a man was shoved into the backseat beside her.
The scent of blood hit imdiately.
It was Marcus Murphy.
His eyes were closed, face pale, and blood soaked through the front of his black shirt.
Joseph leaned in, voice taut with urgency. "Drive. Now."
He slamd the door and vanished into the shadows.
I stared at Ms. Shaw, frozen. This was beyond any job description I’d signed up for.
"Ms. Shaw?" I whispered.
She stared at Marcus in shock but it lasted only a heartbeat. Her voice turned sharp and decisive.
"Go. Get us out of here."
I accelerated up the ramp, onto the street. The flush from her wine had vanished; her eyes were laser focused.
"Uncle Marcus," she called, shaking his shoulder. "Uncle Marcus, wake up!"
He groaned faintly. "Stop... shaking. Not... dead."
Relief briefly softened her features. Then it vanished behind steely concern.
"What happened? Where are you hurt? How serious is it?"
No answer.
"Hospital," she ordered. "Not the closest one take a longer route."
I nodded. Smart. If soone was after him, they’d check the nearest ER.
But before I could turn, Marcus croaked out: "No hospital."
"Don’t be ridiculous," Ms. Shaw snapped. "You’re bleeding."
From the mirror, I could see how bad it was. Blood trickled through his fingers, dark and heavy. His jaw clenched as if trying to hold himself together.
"Your place," he said hoarsely.
Ms. Shaw froze.
I understood her hesitation. Taking him ho was personal, risky.
"Is there a reason you can’t go to a hospital?" she asked. "Is soone... looking for you?"
He gave the slightest nod.
Ms. Shaw exhaled, low and resigned. "Rachel, take us to Rosa Villa."
Reviews
All reviews (0)